Equity Grant
What is the Equity Grant?
The purpose of the USS Equity Grant is to remove financial barriers that keep undocumented students from participating in opportunities that support their professional development, preparation for graduate school, and leadership development.
Equity Grant Application for the 2025-26 is now open. Please review all the information below to review eligibility and what the funds can be used for.
Who can apply for an Equity Grant?
- An undergraduate or graduate student with current enrollment at UC San Diego for the current academic year in which you apply. UC San Diego Extended Studies student are not eligible to apply.
- Ineligible for federal financial aid (e.g., Pell Grants, Direct Loans).
- Have AB 540 California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption.
- Have a California Dream Act (CADAA) Application on file.
- Demonstrate sufficient financial need.
When the Equity Grant is available
- Application should be completed to cover expenses taking place within the current academic year. For the 2025-26 academic year, the Equity Grant closes on May 22, 2026 at 11:45 PM.
- All professional development activities need to take place and be purchased while the student maintains active status (evidenced by enrollment) with the university. Graduating students must use funding by graduation date.
- Activity(s) to be covered must take place within the academic term when the application is submitted. For example, an application submitted in the Winter quarter must be for an expense taking place in the Winter quarter. Exception: Students enrolled in the Spring quarter can participate in Professional Development activities in the Summer so long as they are still a student for the following academic year and submit their application before the deadline.
Graduate School Preparation/Exams
- These expense(s) are covered on behalf of the student.
- Students do not receive the money, instead, one of our team members schedules a meeting with the student to pay for the expenses on their behalf.
- You will receive a decision email from our team stating if you were approved or denied for the Equity Grant.
- If approved, a meeting to pay for the activity is required, so students should consider activities that do not have short deadlines since staff may not be able to meet right away.
- We recommend scheduling the meeting at least 2 weeks before the deadline - we will not rush applications/meetings to meet deadlines
Equity Grant Application
Equity Grant Application for the 2025-26 is now open. Please apply by completing the application. Contact Program Coordinator, Pricila Rodriguez (brr023@ucsd.edu), for questions or additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What expenses are covered?
Expenses Covered:
- Graduate school application fees (max. 3 per academic year)
- Graduate school test preparation course (max. 1 program per academic year)
- Graduate school exam fees (GRE, LSAT MCAT etc.) (max. 1 program per academic year)
- Graduate School Test Preparation Materials. See the message below.
- Professional conference attendance fees
- UCSD extension courses geared toward professional development, grad school test prep courses, or leadership development
What expenses are not covered?
Expenses not covered:
- Laptops or iPads
- Professional clothing attire
- Professional headships or pictures
- Degree-related expenses such as student fees, tuition, and books/materials for classes are not covered.
- Expenses for activities taking place in future academic years.
- Expenses purchased prior to application approval (i.e. no retroactive reimbursements)
- Professional conference travel expenses (lodging, travel, and meals).
How much does the Equity Grant cover?
Eligible students may receive up to $500 in aid per academic year as long as funding remains available. Students may use the full $500 at once or in pieces. For example, a student may be granted $250 in the fall quarter to cover graduate application fees and $250 in the spring to cover the cost of a GRE prep course.
In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.
More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.
More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.
